Best friends since childhood, FL and ML, the son of an alpha, had an affair when ML was crowned alpha, even though they weren't meant for each other. But the next day, ML chose her true mate, breaking FL's heart. Years later, FL, now a famous doctor, secretly raises the triplets she had from this affair. One day, ML, deceived and rejected by her mate, needs FL's help. When they meet again, ML discovers that FL is her second chance mate, but FL cannot recognize the connection because she is the victim of a curse.
The rain fell into a cold and ruthless curtain, crushing on earth with the regularity of a heartbeat. The metal smell of blood mingled, transported by the wind that rushed between the knotted trees, whistling through the silent forest. There was no more cries, no more grunts of rage or pain. Just this heavy silence, punctuated by the hammer of the downpour.
She gave her teeth and accelerated the step, her boots sinking into the mud. The call had come at dawn, a distant, raucous howl, barely distinct in the dark. She had hesitated. An injured wolf alone. She was no longer used to acting like this, to respond to instinct rather than reason. But something, a deaf pulsation under his skin, had pushed her to come out. So she had grabbed her care kit and sank into the woods.
The path was steep, traitor in the rain which transformed it into a sliding heap. She was not afraid. The darkness of the forest was no longer worrying for her. She had grown there, had learned to listen to the murmurs, to recognize the dangers. It was once a familiar territory, a refuge where she felt in her place. Now it was just a shadow of the past.
She stopped clearly when she saw him.
The dark mass lay between the roots of a tree, a twisted, inert body. Even from a distance, it distinguished the sides raised by difficult, breathtaking breathing. The smell of blood was strong, heady. She knelt, placing her fingers on the soaked coat. He was hot under his palm, but the fever was there, insidious. She folds her eyes, looking for wounds.
The notches were deep. Claws. Crocs. He had fought, and he had lost. Pieces of flesh hung in shreds on its sides, and a gaping wound marked its shoulder. He had not had to flee far before his forces abandoned him.
She sighed and opened her kit, ignoring the unpleasant feeling that tied her stomach. Care him. This is what she knew how to do. Not think. Not wondering where he came from, or why he was alone. Only act.
The minutes went into a familiar monotony. She cleaned, curled up, shining efficiently. The wolf did not react, apart from a few tremors at each pressure too supported. He had to be on the verge of unconsciousness. When she finished, she stood squatting for a moment, staring at the dark, reflecting coat.
She couldn't leave him there.
The idea made her hesitate. Taking care of him here was one thing. Taking her home was another. It's been too long since she had crowned anyone. But leaving him in this rain, injured and unable to defend himself was to sign his death warrant.
She pushed an annoyed sigh, as if she could convince herself that all of this bothered her deeply. Then, carefully, she slipped her arms under the solid body and pulled with all her might. The weight almost unbalanced it, but it held out.
She brought the wolf home.
***
The flames projected a trembling glow on the walls of the room. The smell of blood persisted despite alcohol and ointments. She was washed with her hands, then remained standing, observing the body lying on the table.
She hadn't seen her face yet. He had transformed himself during the journey, his features returning to a human form in a natural process of healing. But she hadn't tried to look at. Maybe because she knew that the answer would not please her.
She ends up approaching, her heart heavier than she would have liked.
He had a pale complexion, almost cadaverous under the sparkle of the lamp. The brown wicks, soaked and tangled, glued to his sweetened forehead. His jaw, once strong and proud, was marked by fatigue and exhaustion. He had changed. Skinny, more marked. But it was him.
She felt something break in her.
The storm of memories fell, brutal, relentless. The nights spent laughing under the moon, the murmurs exchanged in the secret of the woods, the warmth of her arms around her. Then abandonment, tear, the void left behind.
She went back, her fingers closing on the edge of the table as if it could give her a catch on reality. He shouldn't be there. He should no longer exist in his world.
But he was there.
And he was broken.
She looked away, feeling a dull anger getting into her. It was not his problem. It would never be his problem again. She did what she had to do. Cure. Save. Now he would leave.
She turned away and went out, leaving behind the ghost of the past.
***
The cold clung to his skin as a second suffering. He walked without a specific goal, guided by a single necessity: move forward.
Each step sent a throbbing pain along its ribs. He felt blood drying against his skin, a constant reminder of his failure. But it was not the physical pain that overwhelmed him the most.
He had lost everything.
The betrayal had been a dagger drunk so deeply that he doubted one day being able to remove the blade. He had believed in her. He believed that the moon had imposed on him. And he was wrong.
The weight of rejection still haunted him.
He stopped, his fists tense. His legs trembled under him, his breath was short. His body demanded rest, but her mind was screaming.
He had been king. Now he was nothing.
A thrill crossed him. The fever was gaining ground. He knew that he would not go further.
Then he felt something. A presence. Heat.
He opened his eyes, but his vision was blurred. He only lives a silhouette, a glow in the middle of nothingness. Hands that touched him, which wore him.
A smell.
Stealthy, familiar.
A memory broke out in his mind, a fleeting image, a voice he thought disappeared.
Then nothing.
***
When he opened his eyes, he first thought he was dead.
The ceiling was familiar, and the smell assaulted it suddenly, drowning everything else. A gentle fragrance, that of medicinal plants and something more subtle, more intimate.
He straightened up too quickly and dazzling pain turned his chest to him. A groan escaped him, and a movement caught his gaze.
She was there.
Frozen near the door, the dark and impenetrable gaze.
His heart missed a beat.
It was impossible.
She should never have been there.
His gaze slid on his face. She was even more beautiful than in her memories. Harder too. A shadow hovered over its features, a new coldness, like a wall erected between them.
He opened his mouth, but no word came.
She crossed her arms and spoke the first.
- Don't get mistaken. I treated you. That's it.
His voice was sharp, without the slightest emotion.
He swallowed with difficulty, fighting against the flood of sensations that invaded him.
She looked at him as a stranger.
And he understood.
He no longer had his place here.
He had never had his place with her.
Silence settled, heavy, cruel.
She ended up looking away, and this simple gesture hurt her more than all the wounds of her united body.
He thought he had known the pain.
But it is only now, seeing this empty look on him, that he understood what really meant to be broken.
She had learned the news by chance, at the turn of a conversation that she shouldn't even have heard. A whisper escaped in the warm air in the afternoon, carried by the wind to its ears. Nothing very important in itself. Just a fact, information released with the nonchalance of those who ignore how a name can still burn.
He is back.
She hadn't reacted. Not a start, not a thrill. Just a slightly stronger heartbeat, quickly repressed. It was nothing. It didn't change anything.
So she had continued to work, classify vials and write her notes as if these words had not sought to dig a breach in her. She had not culled, not let the slightest crack appear. It was a long time since he had no importance.
The past was a corpse that she had buried with her own hands.
***
He didn't understand.
Something was wrong, something bored him since waking up. A diffuse, insidious feeling, which clung to him without him being able to name it. Like a whisper in the hollow of his skull, a thrill under his skin.
She.
Whenever she was there, the air seemed to vibrate differently. He felt her presence before she even speaks, even before she looked at him - if she still looked at him. He followed her with his gaze unwittingly, lingering on the curve of a gesture, on the fleeting light in his eyes.
But he didn't understand why.
There was no attachment between them. No link, no reason for his simple breath to haunt him.
However, every time she entered the room, he felt her own heart to miss a beat.
Juliette, a passionate and adventurous woman, leads a quiet life until the day she discovers the existence of hybrids, beings who are half-human, half-supernatural creatures. Fascinated by this new world, she embarks on a quest to learn more. It is then that she meets Damien, an enigmatic and captivating man. Little by little, Juliette is drawn to the mystery surrounding Damien and his tortured side. When he finally reveals his identity as a hybrid, their relationship faces many challenges. Together, Juliette and Damien must face society's prejudices and the dangers that threaten hybrids. Damien, haunted by his past, struggles to open up to Juliette and accept her love. For her part, Juliette must overcome her own fears and doubts to learn to love Damien unconditionally. Their quest for happiness will force them to question their beliefs and accept each other, despite the differences that separate them. Juliette and Damien will have to join forces to face the obstacles that stand in their way and prove that they are...
Lyra has always believed in the bond between soulmates, but the day her mate, Alpha Lucian, publicly rejects her, she feels her world crumble. Cast out of the pack, she disappears without a trace. Five years later, she returns, stronger and more determined than ever. But she doesn't come back alone: a little boy with golden eyes, a carbon copy of Lucian, accompanies her. Faced with the truth she has hidden from him, Lucian will do anything to win her back, but will Lyra be able to forgive him for his past rejection?
Gabrielle, an intelligent and determined young woman, carefully hides her identity as the heiress to a vast fortune. Preferring to lead a simple and anonymous life, she fears that her wealth will become an obstacle in her relationships. It is then that she meets Nathan, a powerful and respected man in his field. Despite their social differences, an unexpected attraction grows between them. However, Gabrielle's secret weighs heavily on their budding relationship. When Nathan discovers Gabrielle's true identity, their bond is put to the test. Gabrielle, fearing rejection, must find the courage to open up to Nathan and trust him. For his part, Nathan, although surprised, must learn to accept this new side of Gabrielle and see beyond her wealth.
Elise, a powerful and determined alpha female, struggles to find her place in the male-dominated werewolf world. Despite her skills and leadership, she faces numerous prejudices and obstacles within her community. It is then that she meets Romain, a respectful and caring werewolf, who recognizes Elise's value and potential as a leader. Although surprised by her strong and independent character, Romain is quickly captivated by her personality and her refusal to submit to traditional norms. Together, Elise and Romain must navigate a world where gender roles are often rigidly defined. They will have to confront their community's prejudices and their own insecurities to build a fair and fulfilling relationship. Their quest for equality and recognition will push them to challenge established power structures. Elise and Romain will have to join forces to prove that love can transcend barriers and offer a new vision of what it means to be a leader in the world of werewolves.
Lea, a proud and determined woman, leads a fulfilling life until the day she finds herself unwittingly drawn into a secret world: the werewolf mate auction. Horrified by this situation, Lea must fight to preserve her independence and freedom. It is then that she meets Ethan, a charming and witty man, who is also participating in these auctions in the hope of finding his destined mate. Despite their differences, a spark ignites between Lea and Ethan, leading them to question their beliefs. However, their relationship faces many obstacles, including the manipulation of other auction participants, who seek to separate them. Lea and Ethan will have to join forces to overcome these challenges and face their own fears in order to make room for love. Together, they will discover that their bond extends beyond the conventions of this supernatural world and that they can build a healthy and fulfilling relationship, despite the dangers that await them. Their quest for happiness will force them to question their priorities and accept each other as they are.
Zoe, the heiress of a reputedly cursed family, hides many secrets and talents behind a fragile exterior. Although aware of the dangers associated with her heritage, Zoe seeks to live a normal and fulfilling life. When she meets Theo, a powerful and caring man, an irresistible attraction develops between them, despite the curses weighing on Zoe's family. Theo, fascinated by Zoe's complexity and strength of character, decides to commit to this relationship, despite being aware of the challenges ahead. Together, they must confront the supernatural forces that threaten their union, while taming their own inner demons. Zoe, torn between her desire for love and her fear of endangering those she loves, must learn to trust Theo and open up to him. For his part, Théo, determined to protect Zoé, will have to show patience and understanding to help her overcome her fears. Their quest for happiness will push them to join forces and face the supernatural challenges that stand in their way.
Janet was adopted when she was a kid -- a dream come true for orphans. However, her life was anything but happy. Her adoptive mother taunted and bullied her all her life. Janet got the love and affection of a parent from the old maid who raised her. Unfortunately, the old woman fell ill, and Janet had to marry a worthless man in place of her parents' biological daughter to meet the maid's medical expenses. Could this be a Cinderella's tale? But the man was far from a prince, except for his handsome appearance. Ethan was the illegitimate son of a wealthy family who lived a reckless life and barely made ends meet. He got married to fulfill his mother's last wish. However, on his wedding night, he had an inkling that his wife was different from what he had heard about her. Fate had united the two people with deep secrets. Was Ethan truly the man we thought he was? Surprisingly, he bore an uncanny resemblance to the impenetrable wealthiest man in the city. Would he find out that Janet married him in place of her sister? Would their marriage be a romantic tale or an utter disaster? Read on to unravel Janet and Ethan's journey.
Kara Martin was known as Miss Perfect. She was a beauty with good personality and successful career. Unfortunately, her life changed at one night. She was accused of adultery, losing her job, and abandoned by her fiance. The arrogant man who slept with her did not want to take responsibility. He even threatened to kill her if they met again. What's worse, Kara was pregnant with twins and she chose to give birth to them. Four and a half years later, Kara returned to work at a large company. As the secretary, she would frequently face their notorious CEO. Kara thought it wouldn't be a problem, but as it turned out ... the CEO was the father of the twins!
Yelena discovered that she wasn't her parents' biological child. After seeing through their ploy to trade her as a pawn in a business deal, she was sent away to her barren birthplace. There, she stumbled upon her true origins—a lineage of historic opulence. Her real family showered her with love and adoration. In the face of her so-called sister's envy, Yelena conquered every adversity and took her revenge, all while showcasing her talents. She soon caught the attention of the city's most eligible bachelor. He cornered Yelena and pinned her against the wall. “It's time to reveal your true identity, darling.”
Two years ago, Ricky found himself coerced into marrying Emma to protect the woman he cherished. From Ricky's perspective, Emma was despicable, resorting to underhanded schemes to ensure their marriage. He maintained a distant and cold attitude toward her, reserving his warmth for another. Yet, Emma remained wholeheartedly dedicated to Ricky for more than ten years. As she grew weary and considered relinquishing her efforts, Ricky was seized by a sudden fear. Only when Emma's life teetered on the edge, pregnant with Ricky's child, did he recognize-the love of his life had always been Emma.
Kaelyn devoted three years tending to her husband after a terrible accident. But once he was fully recovered, he cast her aside and brought his first love back from abroad. Devastated, Kaelyn decided on a divorce as people mocked her for being discarded. She went on to reinvent herself, becoming a highly sought-after doctor, a champion racer, and an internationally renowned architectural designer. Even then, the traitors sneered in disdain, believing Kaelyn would never find someone. But then the ex-husband’s uncle, a powerful warlord, returned with his army to ask for Kaelyn’s hand in marriage.
On her wedding day, Khloe’s sister connived with her groom, framing her for a crime she didn’t commit. She was sentenced to three years in prison, where she endured much suffering. When Khloe was finally released, her evil sister used their mother to coerce Khloe into an indecent liaison with an elderly man. As fate would have it, Khloe crossed paths with Henrik, the dashing yet ruthless mobster who sought to alter the course of her life. Despite Henrik’s cold exterior, he cherished Khloe like no other. He helped her take retribution from her tormentors and kept her from being bullied again.